This novel is perfectly fit to be read on those cold days while you snuggle up to the warm fire or are wrapped in a silky blanket. Even more so for those rainy days when you stay in and need to curl up with a good, well written and easily devour-able read! I enjoyed receiving the ARC to this novel to review. And while it is a little late, I had to ensure that I did post my views on this book. But instead of going into detail and possibly spoiling it for those who's interests have been peaked, I will just state that this novel is thoroughly enjoyable, and I recommend it to anyone who needs to escape the stress of "Real Life" for a while.

Felt like reading a book for high school girls, or a treatment for a Lifetime movie.Very very simplistic.Roy Vines left his wealthy family and twin brother Mont when he fell in love with Rosalind 18 years before. Now in a small town in North Carolina with 16 year old Lola and 5 year old Janie May, he must return home to ask for money for his sick wife. While there, cuts a deal to look after his "son" with his first wife for the summer.A boring beach book. ( )

An easy read, with like able characters and a story to keep you interested. The end came a little abruptly, and the whole thing about twins was a bit contrived, but it was worthwhile for light summer reading. ( )

This is the story of three generations of the Vines family. It is beautifully told by the author, Jean Reynolds Page. The conflicts and challenges encountered by each generation are dealt with in such a manner that the reader devours the story. I highly recommend reading this book. ( )

Roy Vines and his wife Rosalind, like the rest of the residents of the rural North Carolina town in which they lived, have hit upon rough times. Rosalind is experiencing health problems and they don’t have the money to seek the medical help she needs. Roy is forced to ask his family for help, the same family that disowned him when he married Rosalind. He’s must do something he never wanted to do, ask his twin brother Mont for money.

Mont agrees to help his brother but not without a catch: Roy must open his home to Lucas, a seventeen-year-old boy raised believing that Roy was his father and had abandoned him and his late mother. Rosalind is torn; her declining health is forcing them into a situation that is reopening old family wounds.

Luke resents his “father” initially, but the kindness that Roy and Rosalind, and their two daughters Lola and Janie Ray, show Luke soon puts a damper on the burning hate. Luke begins to realize that nothing is really as it seems and wonders if he will ever know the truth.

LEAVING BEFORE IT’S OVER is a heartwarming family drama. The characters, most living in a small, close-knit town, will stop at nothing to help those around them. All of the characters, not only Luke, go through a bit of self-discovery and actualization. Despite all the family drama, this book is quite the comforting read. The Vine family exudes love for one another, despite all the obstacles they are forced to face. The meaning of family is clearly apparent in this family.

Wikipedia in English

From the author of The Space Between Before and After comes a compelling novel that explores the true meaning of family.

When Roy Vines married his wife, Rosalind, he traded his family and his inheritance for love—a painful choice that has blessed them with years of joy nestled in rural North Carolina with their beautiful daughters, sixteen-year-old Lola and little Janie Ray.

But their happiness is threatened when Rosalind suddenly falls ill. Desperate to get her the help she needs, Roy does the one thing he swore he'd never do—turn to his heartless and bitter identical twin brother, Mont, for help.

The price is steep—and includes opening their home to a teenage boy who believes Roy is the father who abandoned him. As bad blood threatens to destroy her family, Rosalind must make a difficult choice. Should she walk away—like Roy once did—for love, or try to mend wounds that may never be healed? And will the pain of choosing be more than her heart can bear?

(retrieved from Amazon Mon, 30 Sep 2013 13:19:16 -0400)

▾Library descriptions

"Roy and Rosalind Vines discover the true meaning of family for themselves and their two daughters when a young man in Roy's hometown claims that his real father is either Roy or Roy's twin brother"--Provided by publisher.